Arsenal Transfer News: Mario Gotze Agent Sparks Rumours, Latest on Arturo Vidal

The agent of Bayern Munich star Mario Gotze has criticised the German club for not showing his client enough support, which could potentially rekindle Arsenal’s interest in the player.

That’s according to Marc Williams of the Daily Star, who cites interest in the 23-year-old from both the Gunners and Manchester United. Gotze’s representative, Volker Struth, slammed Bayern boss Pep Guardiola, insisting that the German star needs more backing if he’s to realise his true potential, per Bild (h/t Marca):

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Guardiola has destroyed Gotze. He feels like the coach doesn't have faith in him and yet still he is asked to be decisive when he gets on the pitch.

Gotze only plays in the easy games. I'm surprised no one at Bayern has realised that and defended Mario. I'm surprised that Guardiola didn't use him in the important matches like the German Cup and Champions League semi-finals

Bayern need a figure like Uli Hoeness.

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Williams claims that both Arsenal and United have “admired” Gotze in recent years. The midfielder was tipped to become a superstar when he left Borussia Dortmund for Bayern back in 2013, but despite scoring the winning goal in the 2014 World Cup final for his country, he’s yet to kick on completely.

As noted by Bleacher Report’s Clark Whitney, Gotze has really struggled under the tutelage of Guardiola:

Leaving the Bundesliga champions isn’t the solution for the German yet, though. Granted, Bayern have some of the finest attacking options in world football in Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery, Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller, but Gotze must bide his time and ensure that when he does get the chance, he seizes it.

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For Arsenal, getting Gotze in would fall into the same category as Mesut Ozil. While Arsene Wenger doesn’t really need to sign another sophisticated attacking-midfield man, the German would be too good an opportunity to miss.

It would be a superstar capture, that’s beyond doubt. Bleacher Report’s Sam Tighe took a look at which Premier League team is likely to land a player of genuine world-class calibre this summer:

But Gotze will surely be in Bayern’s plans moving forward. After all, Robben and Ribery are both the wrong side of 30, and while the ex-Dortmund man isn’t stylistically comparable to either, there will be slots more readily available in the attacking facets of the team.

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If the situation has yet to change 12 months down the line, perhaps then Gotze may start thinking about the prospect of a potential transfer; Arsenal would be wise to be sharp on the scene if he does.

Juventus Willing to Talk on Arturo Vidal

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Arsenal have been given the “green light” to move for Juventus midfield Arturo Vidal, with the Bianconeri apparently willing to sell the Chilean midfield star.

That’s according to Jamie Sanderson of Metro, who cites “reports in Italy” that claim the Italian giants have “already identified a replacement” for Vidal. The piece goes on to suggest that provided the Gunners stump up a significant amount, there’ll be nothing stopping the player from moving to the Emirates.

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It’s a rumour that has been lingering all summer, and Bleacher Report’s Andy Brassell gave his assessment on the prospect of any deal:

On the face of it, there’s nothing that really adds up about this potential transfer. From Juventus’ point of view, with Carlos Tevez and Andrea Pirlo—per Ben Nagle of the MailOnline—expected to leave this summer, losing another key player could have seriously debilitating effects. Especially a figure like Vidal, who is at the heart of everything for the Bianconeri.

As we can see here courtesy of WhoScored.com, defensively, the Chilean is a force of nature:

They’re qualities that would enrich this Arsenal team, but to limit Vidal to a marshalling role in front of the back four would be a shame.

He’s a player who can also make a major impression marauding forward, and although he’d be a classy acquisition for the Gunners, they need a protector at the base of their midfield, not a box-to-box player.

Signing Vidal would certainly be a statement of intent for Arsenal, as there’s no denying the 28-year-old is one of the best midfielders in world football. But if Wenger wants to address the perennial need for a defensive presence in the heart of this team, the Chilean is not the answer.